About

In today’s environment of rising fundamentalisms, disregard for human rights, ecological and economic devastation, and the aggressive use of force we are faced with major challenges in practice. There is an urgent need for broad transformative approaches, supported by increasing clarity of analysis and vision and effective practical skills. As a means to enabling a comprehensive response to these challenges, participants of the Women’s Human Rights Education Institutes will engage in theory-building, action-planning and skills building on the international human rights system and an applied women’s human rights framework, returning to their respective organizations and regions with an increased awareness of varied international strategies and exposure to diverse local and national contexts.

The WHRI’s goal is to raise awareness of the human rights standards set by the U.N. with the objective that participants will be able to engage in human rights education and women’s human rights advocacy themselves. The need for human rights education at all levels and for all ages was understood by the international community when the U.N. declared the Decade for Human Rights Education. This was a response to the discovery that although most countries have committed themselves to upholding human rights and have ratified many of the U.N. human rights instruments, most people, especially women, are unaware of their existence. Although the decade ended in 2004, the need continues because in many countries very little progress was made during the decade. In recognition that this endeavour must continue, the U.N. and NGOs have been developing the Plan for Action for the World Programme for Human Rights Education, and increasing emphasis on this nascent movement will continue in years to come.  However, while human rights education programs are increasing, those tailored specifically to women’s human rights are far and few between.  The WHRI is a unique space in which this learning occurs over an extended period, with renowned women’s human rights activists with decades of field experience as facilitators, enabling participants to leave the institute with the confidence and knowhow to apply their learning immediately.

The UN Security Council Resolution 1325 passed in October 2000 affirms the principles that women should be involved in peacebuilding processes at all levels and that the rights of women and girls need to be respected in times of war and conflict. UN Security Council Resolution 1820 passed in 2008 went a step further to address sexualized violence in conflict zones.  However, without women’s organizations and peace groups around the world holding UN member states and the international system responsible for the commitments they have made, these are not likely to be implemented. Unless and until most of the inhabitants of each country are aware of their rights and responsibilities, democracy, peace and justice will continue to be unattainable.  These training institutes aim to support the implementation of these declarations and conventions and to assist in developing and expanding a global network of practitioners working from a common women’s human rights discourse.

We currently offer two training institutes:

Six-week Women’s Human Rights Education Institute

CEDAW for Change One-Week Institute 

Throughout the year, we also offer workshops for teachers on human rights education and Alda Facio offers many trainings worldwide.  Please see our “Workshops” page for additional offerings.